The 14 clubs who voted in favour slammed down quite a marker – the strangest close season of trading in years.

While the cost of recruiting spiralled further upwards (£72million for a goalkeeper with one international appearance), total spend on transfer fees fell for the first time this decade. Premier League clubs hardly did any deals with each other – just 14 per cent of what Deloitte estimated to be a £1.2billion gross spend.

Newly-promoted Fulham and Wolves laid out more than champions Manchester City, United, Spurs and Arsenal . Of the Big Six managers only Jurgen Klopp could declare himself genuinely happy with his reinforcements. The German’s rivals were left in varying states of despair.

(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Mauricio Pochettino’s reward for not taking over at Real Madrid? Zero new recruits and an unfinished stadium. Jose Mourinho passed an entire pre-season trying to shame United into delivering a quality centre-back and a right winger only to end up with his board briefing media about their fantasy football attempt to sign Raphael Varane.

And Pep Guardiola? Even the boss of the most expensive squad ever was left with a headache. The elite midfielder he asked for months ago unsigned, City then lost Kevin de Bruyne to a knee injury.

The Belgian is expected to be out for up to three months. Last year, City could have used their vast resources to buy cover. This August that’s impossible.

Who has done well in this abbreviated window? The Transfer Window asked recruitment specialists to identify the best value transfers. Here are their picks ...

Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio (Wolves from Sporting). No great surprise that a club advised by Jorge Mendes were the first to secure one of a group of players who employed a FIFA “just cause” rule to cancel their contracts at troubled Sporting. A European champion goalkeeper at what is likely to be a knock-down fee after the Portuguese club rejected an offer of €18m.

Right back: Diogo Dalot (Man United from FC Porto). Widely regarded as the best full back in his age group, Dalot is powerful, fast, productive in the attack and, thanks to the leverage of a release clause, was signed for €22m. If the teenager’s potential is realised, United can expect to have a starting right back for the next decade.

Centre back: Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester from Freiburg). In an era in which ball playing central defenders carry a ridiculous premium, Leicester acquired a 22-year-old admired by a host of top scouts for a little over €20m. If the Turk adapts well expect Harry Maguire to be sold to the next club that offers silly money for the over-hyped Englishman.

Centre back: Filip Benkovic (Leicester from Dinamo Zagreb). Not content with one well regarded young centre back, Leicester took two. The Croatia under-21 international is taller and more physical than Soyuncu, and cost around €5m less. This season might be too early to regularly pair them together, but the next one?

Left back: Jonny Castro (Wolves from Atletico Madrid). Several of Europe’s wealthiest clubs have been looking for quality left backs, Atletico have three. Wolves used their contacts to land Jonny - who can also operate on the right flank - on a season loan from the Europa League holders.

(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Centre midfield: Yves Bissouma (Brighton from Lille). Brighton reached the Premier League and stayed there on the strength of their recruitment, combining statistics-led scouting with thorough background checks on targetted players. For a fee that could reach €18m, they have a dynamic 21-year-old Mali international experienced in multiple midfield roles, who can also play full back.

Centre midfield: Leander Dendoncker (Wolves from Anderlecht). While Naby Keita, Fred and Jorginho do battle to demonstrate who was the best buy at the top end of the market, Dendoncker is another value deal. On loan with an obligatory option to buy at €15m, the Belgian does not offer the same ability on the ball, but has a work ethic suited to the league.

Right wing: Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City to Liverpool). The Swiss international is never going to be the best footballer at Anfield, but a pragmatic, economical deal that exploited a relegation release clause adds a proven Premier League performer to a squad that lacked depth last season.

Number 10: Max Meyer (Crystal Palace from Schalke). Palace went into the summer window with no budget for transfer fees so had to be clever with their deals. Signing a 22-year-old Germany international under freedom of contract is exactly that. Schalke tended to use Meyer as a holding midfielder last season; he’s better further forward.

Left wing: Adama Diakhaby (Huddersfield from AS Monaco). For €10m, Huddersfield have secured a tall, quick and able left-footed forward, who can operate off either wing or as a central striker. At 22, the France under-21 international is good value, the question is how he fits Huddersfield style.

Striker: Luciano Vietto (Fulham from Atletico). One more marker of an odd Premier League window was the lack of signings at striker; typically the most in-demand position of all. Another season loan from Atletico, the young Argentine is the best of a bad bunch of new centre forwards.